Opening bell: Benchmark indices open on a positive note; all Sensex stocks trade in green

In the pre-opening session on Monday, Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange, traded 162.5 points, or 1.03%, higher at 15,863.50, indicating that Dalal Street was headed for a positive start on Monday.

In the previous trading session, benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, rose by nearly 1% recording gains for the second day led by buying in banking, financials and energy stocks on the back of firm global trends.

On the global front, the major indices on Wall Street were trading higher on Friday in a big rally as signs of staggering economic growth and a fall in commodity prices disturbed the expectations for the rate hike plans of the Federal Reserve. On Monday, oil prices contracted by more than $1 a barrel as global economic concerns weighed on the oil demand outlook while investors watched the G-7 summit regarding the Russia-Ukraine crisis and possibility of a price cap on Russian oil.

At the open, the Sensex was up 618.67 points or 1.17% at 53,346.65 level, and the Nifty was up 181.10 points or 1.15% at 15,880.40 level. About 1652 shares have advanced, 275 shares declined, and 108 shares are unchanged. All the Sensex stocks traded in green with Tech Mahindra, Wipro, HCL Technologies, IndusInd Bank and Infosys emerging as the top gainers. Voda Idea, YES Bank, and Tata Power were among the most active stocks traded on NSE.

At 9.30 a.m., the broader markets were seen trading higher with BSE Mid Cap and Small Cap indices gaining 1.04% and 1.50%, respectively. The top three mid-cap stocks in the BSE Midcap Index were Ashok Leyland, JSW Energy and Mphasis whereas the top three small-cap stocks were Likhitha Infrastructure, Gandhi Special Tube and Kellton Tech Solutions.

On the sectoral front, indices traded in green with the IT index being the top gainer. Nifty Bank index added 1% led by the AU Small Finance Bank, IndusInd Bank, and Federal Bank.